Walter Kerr Seating advice ?

[Princeton2]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 3:01pm

Im from the UK, and as far as I know theres no Broadway equivalent of theatremonkey (great website that ranks West End theatres seating quality). So I need some advice?

Where is good and bad to sit at the Walter Kerr? Mainly Orchestra im thinking? Is the stage high? Would 2nd or 3rd row be too close, is sitting under the Mezz a problem?

Any advice/thoughts much appreciated!

[isingbaritone]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 3:07pm

http://www.playbill.com/reference/seating/

[Princeton2]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 3:22pm

Thanks although I was looking for something that gave actual opinions on the seat locations and not just a plan

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 3:22pm

I sat front row center at Grey Gardens, and I thought it was an amazing seat.

[dshnookie]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 6:56pm

I also sat front row, but last seat on house left for A Catered Affair (rush seats) and have to agree it was a pretty spectacular view. The stage is not high at all. I also sat last row of the mezz and it was a fine seat as well, facial expressions were visible. I cannot vouch for the mezz overhang in the rear orch.

I will say that my knees were just about touching the stage from the front row. Typically, I like to sit a few rows back to take in the entire production as opposed to focusing specifically on who's singing/speaking. It wasnt a detriment with Affair's small cast and lack of huge production numbers/dancing but it's something to consider and everyone has a preference when it comes to that. I will say if you take a close seat to try and get tickets in the center since being on the extreme ends of the stage may force you to look at an actor's back a lot if the actors are facing each other in the center.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 7:00pm

Sitting under the mezz isn't a problem. Only the very top of the stage is cut off and, unless they've drastically changed the set from London, there shouldn't be anything happening up there anyway.

It's a pretty small theatre with good views from just about anywhere in the orchestra or mezzanine.

[GimmeABreak2]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 7:29pm

I was 3rd row, very far stage left (student rush) one time for The Seagull and the stage wasn't too high at all. During the second act, a table did block a little bit of the action, but I don't know what the 'Night Music' sets will be like.
The best seats I ever had for that play though were orchestra Row H, center.

[hubee]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 7:47pm

Oh I love that Theatremonkey website. The best NY equivalent I can find so far is this: http://www.nytix.com/Links/Broadway/listofcurrenttheatres.html It's nowhere near as detailed as Theatremonkey but oh well, other than combing through the message boards, it's the next best option.

For Walter Kerr:
http://www.nytix.com/Links/Broadway/Theaters/walterkerr.html

"Best Seats In The House:
The mid-center section of the orchestra is ideal. The mezzanine has a very steep rake, so most of the seats offer a clear view, but the rear section feels quite far away from the action. There is also a third tier, where two rows of seats in the front are sold. At $26 a pop, these seats are perfect for the cash-strapped, but keep in mind that the reason they're so cheap is that they offer a better view of the theater's ceiling than the stage."

[Basely Tearful]

Posted: 12/1/09 at 7:57pm

How is the front row of the mez?

[pc1145N2]

Posted: 12/1/09 at 8:06pm

I saw Grey Gardens and sat on the main floor towards the back and these were the worst theatre tickets I've ever had.

I am not the tallest person around and even I had trouble. The man next to me muttered "You've got to be kidding me" as he tried to sit down.

He shifted and turned the whold first act. He did not come back after intermission.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 12/28/09 at 2:30am

Having not been to the Kerr for NIGHT MUSIC, what's the lay-out for the orchestra section? Front row is A? I know for some shows they take out a row or two...

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/28/09 at 2:31am

The front row is row B.

[musicfan123]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 9:32pm

What is the view like from the back mezzanine?

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 9:37pm

There is also a third tier, where two rows of seats in the front are sold. At $26 a pop, these seats are perfect for the cash-strapped, but keep in mind that the reason they're so cheap is that they offer a better view of the theater's ceiling than the stage.

ha. $26 a pop?


In all seriousness, I sat in a seat in the balcony one of the times I saw Grey Gardens and I liked them. It was empty except for my friend and me, so it was like we had our own private viewing.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 9:42pm

Unfortunately, the balcony seats for ALNM are actually $52-57 (depending on the day of the week).

[cglaid]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 10:39pm

I sat H7 last week and felt as if CZJ was looking right at me during many of her lines/songs. It was a great seat!

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 3/5/10 at 7:37am

Sorry to bump this after so long, but I have a question. Since I'm not sure what the sets/staging are like for A Little Night Music, I'm wondering which area would be ideal. Two of the choices are R.Orchestra C10 & Center Orch. P109. I know P is further back, but I've been to a few show where either the set or blocking will prevent side seats from being worth it. What cglaid said above makes me less worried, but I'm thinking C might be too close. Sorry for the specificity of the question; it's just a combination of wanting to see this show from a good seat and not wanting to waste $146.50 on partial view. Thank you!

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 3/5/10 at 8:45am

Basely Tearful: I sat in the front row of the mezz for NIGHT MUSIC and thought it was a terrific seat. I could see everything and felt close to the action.

givesmevoice: That's pretty neat that you and your friend were the only ones in the balcony. You get the unique theatre experience of having a live audience without having to worry about any annoying patrons around you! I'd love to have an experience like that sometime.

[jennamajig]

Posted: 3/5/10 at 10:45am

I saw the show last Friday from Dead Center Orchestra, Row W and save the fact the leg room is particularly bad in that theater, it was a fantastic seat.

And thanks to the snow storm last week, these were seats I grabbed at 40% off at TKTS.

[loliveve]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 11:41am

Bumping this up because I've been looking at the seating chart for A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE...

Has anyone been in the balcony seats recently? Just wondered what the view of the stage is like since there are only two rows. (Side note: is this the smallest balcony in a Broadway house?)

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 11:56am

^I've only heard awful things about the Balcony at the Kerr.

[Part of It All]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 1:22pm

I believe it is the smallest. I have sat in the first row of the orchestra (Testament of Mary) and the last row of the balcony (A Catered Affair). The balcony is not worth it. I feel like I lost 30% of the front stage and I wouldn't recommend them.

Fun fact: If I remember correctly, when the theatre first opened there was no balcony. The balcony today was the lighting deck.

[loliveve]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 2:21pm

Wow, if it was the lighting deck and converted, it makes much more sense to me why the balcony is so small. Thanks for the info! Will definitely be avoiding the balcony... though I may try to remember to go up there during intermission or before the show just to see it :)

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 4:44pm

I was there for Night Music. It was TERRIFYING and I'm not scared of heights. NEVER again.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 8/4/13 at 9:02pm

Is the balcony at the Kerr just really high up and steep?